Page 93 of UnLucky Christmas
He stares at them for what feels like several minutes.
“I wanted to give you something meaningful,” I explain. “Macy found these pictures in your mother’s things and gave them to me. I thought they were precious, so I framed them.”
“I’ve never seen them before,” he says, clearing his throat.
“Anyway, I know it’s not much—”
He pulls me into his lap and engulfs me in his arms. “It’s the most perfect gift I’ve ever received. Thank you.”
I look at his face and notice traces of tears in his eyes. I take his face in my hands and place a kiss on his forehead
“Merry Christmas, Grant.”
“Merry Christmas, Whitney.”
He traces his finger along my arm while I remain in his lap.
“Can I stay here with you tonight? I promise I’ll be good,” he says, holding up his hand. “I just want to hold you.”
“You must’ve been reading my mind, because I was just about tobegyou to stay.”
“Beg me, huh? How?”
“Please stay with me,” I whisper, before kissing him on the neck.
“Okay, you’ve talked me into it.”
I give him a satisfied smile.
Now I’m positive this is my luckiest Christmas ever.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
When I open my eyes, I’m a bit disoriented. There’s an amazing smell in the air and the sound of pots and pans coming from my kitchen. I blink a few times and glance at the time. It’s almost 9:00 am already. I stretch out and roll over to see the comforter all jumbled next to me. The memories of yesterday flood my mind—the day with my family and chef Bill and then my evening with Grant. I can’t imagine a more perfect Christmas Eve than curling up on the couch under a blanket and watching Christmas movies. I even put onThe Grinchfor a few minutes just to tease him. It was exactly what I needed after a difficult day.
My daydream is interrupted by the sound of my phone ringing.
“Merry Christmas, bestie,” Janelle exclaims.
“Merry Christmas to you.” My voice is still raspy since I just woke up.
“Did I wake you? I want to know how yesterday went.”
I sigh and then launch into the details of the day with my mother and chef Bill.
“That’s so annoying,” she exclaims. “Doesn’t she recognize how this might be affecting you and Ben? And your father was just in an accident.”
“I know,” I agree. “Thankfully Grant was with me, or I don’t think I would’ve survived the day.”
“I’m relieved he was there.”
“The day got much better when we exchanged gifts back at my place.” I tell her about the trip and the ornament.
“Oh. My. Gosh,” she swoons. “I’m going to cry.”
“I already did, and it was ugly.”
I ask her about her day, and she tells me she and Brian had dinner with her parents, and they are spending today with Brian’s family.
